Bus Partnership Fund and Fair Fares: EIR release

Information requested

1. Out of the £500m bus partnership fund how much of it was spent/handed out, with a breakdown of this?

2. Could you supply all documentation held by Transport Scotland about the decision to pause the partnership fund, including correspondence sent and received, including internal, minutes/notes from meetings, policy analysis and briefings, between December 1 2023 and March 30 2024.

3. How much did the fair fare reviews project cost, with a breakdown of these costs?

4. Could you supply all documentation held by Transport Scotland about the fair fares review, including correspondence sent and received, including internal, minutes/notes from meetings, policy analysis and briefings, between February 1 2024 and May 1 2024.

Response

As the information you have requested is 'environmental information' for the purposes of the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRs), we are required to deal with your request under those Regulations. We are applying the exemption at section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), so that we do not also have to deal with your request under FOISA.

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption, because there is no public interest in dealing with the same request under two different regimes. This is essentially a technical point and has no material effect on the outcome of your request.

In relation to Question 2, an exception under regulation 10(4)(e) of the EIRs (internal communications) applies to some of the information requested because it is internal communication between Transport Scotland/Scottish Government officials and Scottish Ministers. The reasons why that exception applies are explained below.

This exception is subject to the 'public interest test'. This means we have taken account of all the circumstances of the case and considered whether, on balance, disclosing the information is outweighed by the public good to be had by applying the exception. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of applying the exception and I have outlined the (specific) reason below.

We do recognise that there is some public interest in releasing this information as part of open, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate. However, this is outweighed by the ability for Scottish Government, its Ministers and officials to be able to discuss, debate and deliver high quality policy including the decision-making processes in a private thinking space and ensuring it can be conducted in an environment which does not hamper this process. In order to do so they must be able to properly discuss, debate and exchange views on how implementing policy will be undertaken and part of this is the development of briefing material, the deliberations that have taken place and the decisions made. Ministers and officials need to be able to consider all available options and to debate those rigorously, to fully understand their possible implications.

Response to your request

I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested.

1. Out of the £500m bus partnership fund how much of it was spent/handed out, with a breakdown of this?

Please note that the long-term investment of over £500 million was for bus priority infrastructure to tackle the negative impacts of congestion on bus services. The Bus Partnership Fund was only one of the ways in which this will be delivered. To 31 March 2024 when the fund was paused, a total of £20.5 million was spent. The below table shows a breakdown of the spend by Partnership. This included £1,253,274 spent on a technical investigation and surveys to determine the appropriateness of bus priority at key signals on the A8 and A78 in Inverclyde as well as consultancy support to assist with the technical review of information submitted. Please find below a breakdown of spend by Partnership.

1: Bus Partnership Fund spend by Partnership

Partnership	Lead Authority for project	Project description	Spend to 31 March 2024 (£)
Argyll & Bute Partnership	Argyll & Bute Council	Feasibility Study - George Street/Dunollie Road Bus Lane (was for implementation, however not taken forward following study). Upgrade of two sets of signals on the A816 through Oban - Junction of Soroba Road/Lynn Road and at Argyll Square to improve flow for bus. Upgrade bus shelters and cycle racks along the Benderloch – Oban corridor at Benderloch, Barcaldine, Dunbeg and Ganavan to cycle shelters and cycle racks to increase linkage between Active Travel and bus. Project management costs.	49,402
Ayrshire Partnership	East Ayrshire Council	Feasibility study - Pennyburn Road, Kilwinning bus lane extension. Feasibility study - John Finnie Street, Kilmarnock bus prioritisation at signals to enable buses to get through signals more quickly. Two Urban Traffic Control extensions on the Kilmarnock – Irvine – Kilwinning – Three Towns corridor to prioritise buses at the B751/B7081, Gatehead Road and Kilmarnock Road Junction, and at two signals in Ardrossan on the A738 and B780.	248,810
Edinburgh Bus Alliance	City of Edinburgh Council	Strategic Business Case (SBC) across 8 corridors in Edinburgh to identify potential bus priority measures. Plus the preparation of additional evidence to enable appropriate Transport Scotland (TS) internal scrutiny and approval. Scoping/Appraisal to progress bus priority at 37 traffic signals in Edinburgh using bus automatic vehicle location linked to bus operator ticket machines to enable buses to get through signals more quickly – identified as early interventions for delivery from the appraisal. Appraisal for the introduction of additional physical bus priority measures on a number of corridors / junctions in Edinburgh. Feasibility studies for early intervention schemes in Edinburgh identified in their SBC. Outline Business Case (OBC) including designs for selected bus priority measures on A7 / A772, A71 and A90. Upgrade of the Queue Management System on A90 between the bridge at Dalmeny and the Barnton junction (Whitehouse Road), including on B924 slip road from Dalmeny and Burnshot slip road from Craigiehall (contribution). Bus priority trial to install virtual loops at 7 junctions on A70 Slateford Road and 6 junctions at Dalkeith Road to enable buses to get through the signals more quickly. Making permanent the temporary A1 bus lanes northbound from Southfield Terrace to Duddingston Road West, westbound from Duddingston Rise to Duddingston Row, and eastbound from Duddinston Gardens South to Mountcastle Drive South. Making permanent the temporary A90 bus lanes eastbound from Cramond Brig to Whitehouse Road, eastbound from Maidencraig Crescent to Craigleith Crescent and westbound from Craigleith Drive to Craigleith Junction. Making permanent the temporary A89 eastbound bus lane from approx. 400m prior to B800. Making permanent the temporary Gogar Pass bus lane eastbound at Gogar roundabout underpass. Making permanent previously temporary signals on the Riccarton Mains Road Roundabout to allow buses to exit Hermiston Park & Ride more quickly. Making permanent temporary bus lanes at Newcraighall (Duddingston Park South)/Kaimes Crossroads /Gilmerton Crossroads in Edinburgh. Making permanent the temporary splitting of bus stop outside Musselburgh police station into two stops to improve flow for buses. Project management costs. A70 Bus Lane Camera at Gillespie Crossroads.	1,757,819
Fife Bus Partnership (Central North and East)	Fife Council	Cupar to Kirkcaldy corridor - Appraisal in line with Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) to identify and develop bus priority measures. Glenrothes to Leven corridor - STAG Appraisal to identify and develop bus priority measures. St Andrews to Kirkcaldy corridor - STAG Appraisal to identify and develop bus priority measures. Project Management costs. Preparation of additional evidence to enable appropriate TS internal scrutiny and approval.	341,062
Fife Bus Partnership (West)	Fife Council	Cowdenbeath to Kincardine - STAG Appraisal to identify and develop bus priority measures. Dunfermline to Ferrytoll - STAG Appraisal to identify and develop bus priority measures. Project management costs. Preparation of additional evidence to enable appropriate TS internal scrutiny and approval.	265,675
Forth Valley Bus Alliance	Falkirk Council	STAG Appraisal of 5 corridors (Stirling to Falkirk, Glasgow Road, Grahams Road, A9/A872 and A908/B9096) to identify and develop bus priority measures. Project management costs.	444,883
Glasgow Bus Partnership	Glasgow City Council	Paisley Road West (from Glasgow City Centre to Paisley) – OBC. Maryhill Road, Glasgow – OBC. Dumbarton Road, Glasgow – OBC. Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow – OBC. Great Western Road, Glasgow – OBC. Economic assessment of short-term measures for each of the five strategic bus corridors in Glasgow to evidence value for money. Glasgow and Strathclyde Strategic Bus Network Plan to build on the corridor appraisal work and produce a SBC on wider network enhancements up to 2030 for buses. Making permanent a temporary bus lane on Bothwell Street between Douglas Street and Wellington Street in Glasgow City Centre. Howard Street, Glasgow City Centre - Installation of bus priority at signals at Jamaica / Howard / Midland Street Junction to enable buses to get through the signals more quickly. Paisley Town Centre - Upgrading of signal equipment and the implementation of urban traffic management and bus priority system at junctions on Glasgow Road at Lacy Street (plus its closely associated Puffin crossing) and Penilee Road to enable buses to get through the signals more quickly. Paisley Road West – Convert current traffic management system to above ground detection (virtual loops) of vehicles at 13 junctions along the corridor in Glasgow and link these together to make the system more reliable and enable buses to get through the signals more quickly. Paisley Road West traffic signal upgrade between South Portman Street and Seaward Street at 4 junctions in Glasgow to include bus priority to enable buses to get through the signals more quickly.	2,476,867
Highland Partnership (Fort William)	Highland Council	Fort William STAG Appraisal (including Mobility Hubs) to identify and develop bus priority measures. Blar Mhor, Fort William – Bus link between health centre and new residential development – Preparation and design work. Upper Achintore - Bus link between new residential development and Lochaber Road – Preparation and design work.	188,747
Highland Partnership (Inverness)	Highland Council	Millburn Road, Inverness - STAG Appraisal to identify and develop bus priority measures. B9006, Inverness – STAG Appraisal to identify and develop bus priority measures. A82 between Shore Street and Rose Street in Inverness – STAG Appraisal to identify and develop bus priority measures and for a Black Isle Mobility Hub. Plus further work to identify a preferred option for the mobility hub. Rose Street in Inverness - Making permanent a temporary bus link to improve access to the bus station. Plus bus link enforcement camera. Raigmore bus gate - Providing improved public transport access to the facilities at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness. Implementation of bus priority at 26 junctions in Inverness to enable buses to enable buses to get through the signals more quickly. Torvean Mobility Hub, Inverness (contribution). Bus stop infrastructure improvements in the Inner Moray Firth area Project management costs.	2,219,783
Midlothian Bus Alliance	Midlothian Council	STAG Appraisal covering 4 corridors (A6094 Whitecraig-A6094 Eskbank, B6392 Eskbank to A772 Gilmerton Junction, A7 Gorebridge to A7 Danderhall and A6094 Eskbank to A701 Straiton). Bus stop infrastructure improvements. Project management costs.	450,349
North East Bus Alliance	Aberdeen City Council	North corridor (Ellon to Garthdee) - STAG Appraisal and Outline Business Case OBC to identify and develop bus priority measures. North West corridor (Inverurie to Aberdeen) - STAG Appraisal and OBC to identify and develop bus priority measures. West corridor (Westhill to Aberdeen) - STAG Appraisal and OBC to identify and develop bus priority measures. South corridor (Laurencekirk to Aberdeen) - STAG Appraisal to identify and develop bus priority measures. Aberdeen City Centre – OBC and Implementation of bus gates on Bridge Street, Guild Street and Market Street (contribution). Aberdeen Rapid Transit - STAG Appraisal, including communications and engagement work. Aberdeen City Centre South College Street junction improvements to support bus priority. Project management costs.	*9,891,671
Tayside Bus Alliance	Dundee City Council	STAG Appraisal of 12 corridors in Dundee, Perth and Fife to identify and develop bus priority measures. Installation of urban traffic control equipment in Dundee and Perth to enable buses to get through signals more quickly – identified as early interventions for delivery from the appraisal.	755,935
West Lothian Bus Alliance	West Lothian Council	STAG Appraisal covering various locations in West Lothian (Alderstone Road, Almondvale, Deans, Knightsridge, Ladywell, Craigshill, Dedridge, Civic Centre, Kirkton Campus, A705, Bathgate / Boghall, A89 west of Bathgate, Harthill / Whitburn, A7066/B792 interchange and Uphall / Broxburn) to develop bus priority measures.	185,129

*Final claim amount being finalised

2. Could you supply all documentation held by Transport Scotland about the decision to pause the partnership fund, including correspondence sent and received, including internal, minutes/notes from meetings, policy analysis and briefings, between December 1 2023 and March 30 2024.

Some of this information has been made available through an answer to a Parliamentary Question available here - Written question and answer: S6W-25352 | Scottish Parliament Website

Information related to all documents from BPF - Ministerial Submission - Comms handling for the pausing of the Bus Partnership Fund - January 2023 that can be released without exceptions can be found in the previously requested EIR release titled - Bus Partnership Fund communications: EIR release - gov.scot (www.gov.scot).

Information related to all documents All- NZET Pre-Budget Scrutiny Letter 2024-25 has previously been published here - budget-2024-25-response-19-december-2023.pdf (parliament.scot)

Extract from Minutes of Meeting of the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity and Paul White of CPT Wednesday 28 March 2024

Item 1 - The Bus Partnership Fund (BPF) - the impact of the decision to pause funding and how we navigate through this year.

1. Given the budgetary constraints faced the Bus Partnership Fund will be paused for next year and Ms Hyslop emphasised the pausing of the Fund.

2. Paul appreciated the financial situation but his members are concerned about the pause, on how we keep the partnerships functioning and engaged, and future funding of the programme. Bus operators have made investment decisions with the understanding that investment would progress and see themselves in a net loss.

Extract from Briefing for meeting with ATCO (Association of Transport Co-Ordination Officers) – 19 January 2023

What	The Association of Transport Co-ordination Officers (ATCO) are a group of Local Transport Association officials who are key contacts for Transport Scotland in bus policy. This meeting is an introductory meeting with representatives of key stakeholders.
Where	Location: Video meeting via Microsoft Teams
When	13:00 – 16:00 Friday 19 January 2023 (You will join the meeting at 13:00 and participate until 13:45-14:00)
Key Message(s)	Scottish Ministers are grateful for ATCO’s engagement with the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland and value their contribution to the development and implementation of various transport schemes and policies over a number of years.
Who	Margaret Roy, Chair of ATCO Scotland (Association of Transport Coordinating Officers) invited Minister for Transport to attend the ATCO’s committee meeting on Friday 19 January. ATCO expect that between 20-32 of its members will participate in the meeting. Invitations have been sent to officers of most local transport authorities, including SPT
Why	Ministerial Stakeholder Engagement
Supporting Officials	Name	Mobile
	Bettina Sizeland	[redacted - Regulation 11(2)]
	[redacted - Regulation 11(2)]> Policy Team	Providing note of meeting
Briefing contents	Bus Partnership Fund (BPF)

Bus Partnership Fund
Why was the Bus Partnership Fund paused?
The financial situation made our Scottish Government budget discussions very hard this year and we were forced to make difficult choices across Government to maintain vital services and address the ongoing living cost crisis which continues to affect our communities and families. Capital funding from the UK Government has not increased in line with inflation and is actually set to fall by nearly 10 per cent in real terms over five years. As a result, difficult prioritisation decisions have needed to be made with prioritisation of critical maintenance and safety spend to ensure that our transport network remains safe, resilient and accessible. This has led to some programmes being paused or revised to match available funding.

Extract from Bus Partnership Fund Pausing – Follow up advice on communications handling – 11 January 2024

[redacted - Regulation 11(2)]
Transport Scotland: Bus, Accessibility and Active Travel
11 January 2024
Minister for Transport

CPT and the bus sector stakeholders will be extremely concerned about the removal of the BPF budget line and will perceive this as a lack of Government commitment for the bus sector. This budget supports the informal partnerships between bus operators, Regional Transport Partnerships and local authorities, and has been successful as highlighted by the recent opening of the Aberdeen bus gate.

The BPF Partnerships will highlight that bus infrastructure funding and delivery will not be able to be simply restarted following a hiatus. It will take months to remobilise resource and expertise to the current level if future funding is made available.

Some Partnerships have employed staff specifically to facilitate BPF work, and there are concerns about their future employment although no future funding commitment has been given. There will also be concerns over wider stakeholder communications as BPF projects coming forward all receive a high level of community and political buy in.

Extract From Response To Paul White Of Confederation Of Passenger Transport From Cabinet Secretary Dated 23 January 2024

The financial situation made our Scottish Government budget discussions very hard this year and we were forced to make difficult choices across Government to maintain vital services and address the ongoing cost of living crisis which continues to affect our communities and families. Capital funding from the UK Government has not increased in line with inflation and is actually set to fall by nearly 10 per cent in real terms over five years. As a result, difficult prioritisation decisions have needed to be made with prioritisation of critical maintenance and safety spend to ensure that our transport network remains safe, resilient, and accessible. This has led to some programmes being paused or revised to match available funding.

The Minister is aware Transport Scotland wrote to inform Partnerships on 16 January 2024 informing them that given the budgetary constraints faced the BPF will be paused for 2024-25, and that these letters were shared with CPT as a valued member of the BPF Steering Group. The spend will proceed as planned for 2023-24 to complete the delivery of the bus infrastructure underway for the benefit of passengers and operators, and conclude appraisal work underway that could inform future investment.

3. How much did the fair fare reviews project cost, with a breakdown of these costs?

As part of the Fair Fares Review, the Poverty Alliance received a total of £40,550 in grant funding allocated through the Scottish Government`s Get Heard Scotland programme which aims to help people affected by poverty meaningfully engage in the development of government policies which impact on their lives. This funding was used to deliver a series of workshops involving individuals with lived experience of poverty from communities across Scotland to explore the impacts that issues relating to access to public transport have on their everyday lives and to identify recommendations for the Scottish Government to consider in response to these issues as part of the Review.

The Poverty Alliance Research Report can be found on the Transport Scotland website.

There were no further costs attributed to produce the Fair Fares Review.

4. Could you supply all documentation held by Transport Scotland about the fair fares review, including correspondence sent and received, including internal, minutes/notes from meetings, policy analysis and briefings, between February 1 2024 and May 1 2024.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under the exception at regulation 10(4)(b) of the EIRs a public authority may refuse a request for information if it is 'manifestly unreasonable'. The Scottish Information Commissioner's guidance on the regulation 10(4)(b) exception at:

http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/Law/EIRs/EIRsExceptions.aspx says that there may “be instances where it is appropriate for the Commissioner to consider the proportionality of the burden on the public authority in terms of the costs and resources involved in dealing with a request when considering the application of this exception”.

As the exception is conditional we have applied the 'public interest test'. This means we have, in all the circumstances of this case, considered if the public interest in disclosing information outweighs the public interest in applying the exception. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exception. While we recognise that there may be some public interest in information about the Fair Fares Review, including correspondence sent and received, including internal, minutes/notes from meetings, policy analysis and briefings, between February 1 2024 and May 1 2024, this is outweighed by the public interest in ensuring the efficient and effective use of public resources by not incurring excessive costs when complying with information requests.

You may however wish to consider reducing the scope of your request in order to make it manageable. For example, you could specify the subject matter(s) of the specific elements of the Fair Fares Review you are enquiring on and also consider shortening the timescale for all correspondence on the areas requested as this would allow us to limit the searches that would require to be conducted. You may also find it helpful to look at the Scottish Information Commissioner's 'Tips for requesting information under FOI and the EIRs' on his website at: http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/YourRights/Tipsforrequesters.aspx.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.